7 Best Walks on Bruny Island, from the Lookout Steps to a Full Day

Bruny Island walks at a glance

Times and grades for the park walks are the Parks and Wildlife Service's; for Mavista and Cape Queen Elizabeth, which it does not list, they are Bruny Tourism's. The trailheads run from north to south, and each one is marked on the Bruny Island map.

1. Truganini Lookout at The Neck

The shortest climb on the island is also the one most people do. From the car park on the isthmus, 279 timber steps lead to Truganini Lookout, and the view runs along both beaches and both halves of the island. Nearly every day tour stops here; the hike gives it 15 minutes.

The easier ways up and the birds that nest in the dunes are in the post on the lookout above the isthmus.

2. Mavista Rainforest Walk

A 1.4 km walk of about 40 minutes, graded easy by Bruny Tourism, from the Mavista picnic shelter off Resolution Road above Adventure Bay, through stringybarks, blackwoods and tree ferns. The track does not reach the falls; do not go past the end of the maintained track. This is the walk the sightseeing days use: it is on the guided day from Hobart, the shore excursion and the second day of the two-day tour.

3. Grass Point

The Parks and Wildlife Service gives Grass Point 1.5 hours and 4 km return, Grade 2: an easy foreshore track that suits families and less experienced walkers. It starts at the small car park at East Cove, at the end of Adventure Bay Road, about 40 minutes' drive from the ferry.

• What you see: the remains of the old whaling station, and the gulch between Grass Point and Penguin Island.
• Whales: southern right whales pass this coast heading north from June to September, and south again from September to late October.
• Facilities: none at the car park or on the track. The public toilets are at Adventure Bay Hall, next to the shop.

4. Fluted Cape

The Service rates Fluted Cape at 2.5 hours, 4 km and Grade 4, and lists it among Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks. The Jurassic dolerite cliffs rise more than 270 metres, and the track climbs over them before dropping steeply back to Adventure Bay. The cliff edges are unprotected, and the Service advises leaving it to experienced walkers.

At dusk, watch the paddocks around the Fluted Cape entrance, where the white wallabies come out to feed.

5. Cape Queen Elizabeth Track and the Mars Bluff arch

Bruny Tourism gives it 4 hours and 13 km, graded medium, from the car park beside the island's airstrip, about 16 minutes from the ferry. The track runs between Big Lagoon and Little Lagoon, over Mars Bluff with a view back across The Neck, and down to Miles Beach, past muttonbird rookeries.

At low tide you can skirt the beach under Mars Bluff, where the cliffs are cut into alleyways, caves and an arch.

The hike from Hobart walks about 8 km return of it, to the Bruny Arch, in about three hours, graded moderate, for walkers aged 8 and over.

6. East Cloudy Head

East Cloudy Head is 4 hours and 12 km return, Grade 4. The first 3 km are on the sand of Cloudy Bay, and then an old 4WD track climbs and drops steeply for another 3 km to views along the south coast and out to The Friars. You return the same way.

• Birds: in spring and summer, walk on the wet sand, clear of nesting shorebirds.
• The beach: it is unpatrolled, with strong rips, so it is a walk, not a swim.
• Toilets: near the car park at the end of Cloudy Bay Road.

7. Labillardiere Peninsula circuit

The longest walk on the island: an 18 km circuit of 5.5 to 6.5 hours, Grade 4, from the Jetty Beach campground, about 1 hour 6 minutes from the ferry. A smaller loop of around 4.5 km suits a shorter day. There is no drinking water on the walk, and in spring and summer snakes sun on the path, so wear gaiters or long pants.

Which walk suits you

• Under an hour: the lookout stairs or the Mavista loop.
• With children: Grass Point or Mavista. The guided hike takes walkers from age 8.
• The best views: Fluted Cape, with a head for heights.
• A beach walk: Cape Queen Elizabeth at low tide, or the sand of East Cloudy Head.
• A full day: the Labillardiere circuit.

For the oysters, the lighthouse and the rest of the island between walks, see the things to do on Bruny Island.

The parks pass, snakes and the weather

Every walk in the national park needs a valid pass. A daily pass is $49.15 per vehicle, for up to eight people, or $24.55 per person travelling on foot, by bike or by bus, in Australian dollars; children under 5 are free. Longer passes, and which fares include one, are in which parks pass you need.

Three snake species live on the island, the tiger, the copperhead and the white-lipped whipsnake, and all three are venomous; read up on snakes on the walking tracks. Clean your boots before and after every walk, to stop the spread of root rot.

Pack for rain whatever the month. Conditions can change at any time of year, and the weather station at Cape Bruny Lighthouse records about 131 rain days a year; see Bruny Island weather by month. On a Grade 4 walk, take a map and tell someone your plans.

Walks you can do on a tour

These days from Hobart put a walk into the itinerary:

• The hike: the track to the arch, then the lookout. Bring lunch, and cancel at least two days out.
• The guided sightseeing day: the Mavista track, the isthmus and the lighthouse grounds, with the park pass in the fare.
• The shore excursion: the same walks from the Hobart cruise terminal; check the pass at booking.
• The two-day tour: the Mavista walk on day two, after Port Arthur.

No tour walks Fluted Cape, East Cloudy Head or the Labillardiere Peninsula. For those, you drive yourself: the ferry, the pass and the roads are in Bruny Island without a tour. How much each guided day asks of your legs is set out on Bruny Island walking tours.

Days with a walk in them

Hobart: Bruny Island Adventure: Hike, Highlights & Tastes

A 3-hour, 8 km return hike to a sea arch, then a trail of chocolate, honey, cheese and oyster producers. The ferry is in the fare; food is yours to buy or bring. Minimum age 8, and cancel at least two days out.

From $120 per person

Check Availability

Full-Day Guided Bruny Island Tour from Hobart

Hotel pickup within 5 km of central Hobart, with the ferry and the national park entry in the fare. Lookouts, a rainforest walk and the lighthouse grounds; food and drink are at your own cost, bought as you go.

From $130 per person

Check Availability

SHORE EXCURSION - Full-Day Guided Bruny Island Tour from Hobart

Collects you at the Hobart cruise terminal for lookouts, a beach, a rainforest walk and the lighthouse grounds, with an eye out for the pale wallabies. Food is at your own cost; ask at booking whether you need your own pass for the park.

From $130 per person

Check Availability

2 Day Tasmanian Highlights Tour - Bruny Island & Port Arthur

Two days from Hobart: Port Arthur and its harbour cruise on the first, the island on the second, as far as the lighthouse grounds. Hotel pickup, admissions and national park passes are in the fare; lunch is not.

From $224 per person

Check Availability

Questions about walking on Bruny Island